WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Kent State's Tommy Monnot connected for a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the long ball proved to the difference in the game as the Golden Flashes went on to defeat Purdue baseball, 4-3, Tuesday evening after Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (9-14) scored all of their runs in the fourth inning and recorded just one hit after Brandon Krieg opened the bottom of the fifth with a single.
Shane Bryant struck out a season-high six over five-plus innings. He gave away to Tim McElroy after issuing a leadoff walk in the top of the sixth. McElroy had given up just one extra-base hit in 16 innings this season and had not surrendered a long ball since April 2013. But Monnot crushed a pitch into the bullpen beyond the left field wall for the first long ball to left in the five games played at Alexander Field this season.
Kyle Wood and Ted Snidanko each had a pair of hits for Purdue. They both singled and scored in the Boilers' three-run fourth inning. Wood and Jack Picchotti opened the frame with consecutive single and Snidanko beat out a sacrifice bunt for a hit to load the bases. Michael Vilardo was hit by a pitch with a 1-2 count to tie the game at 1-1 and chase Kent State starter Eli Kraus.
The Golden Flashes' center and right fielders both made a couple nice diving catches Tuesday. Center fielder Luca Fuscardo took a potential double away from Harry Shipley with a diving catch in left center with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning. It went for a sacrifice fly instead of potentially a two-run double. Purdue scored the third run of the inning when Vilardo stole second base and neither of KSU's middle infielders committed to covering second to take the throw from Monnot. Snidanko was able to trot home as the ball rolled into center field.
Eli Martin (1-0) retired all six batters he faced over two innings of perfect relief. Zach Willeman struck out three of the seven batters he faced to close out the win for Kent State (10-9), giving up only a one-out single to Wood in the eighth.
Joe Eichmann and Matt Gibbs also pitched well in relief for Purdue, combining for four innings of one-hit ball. Eichmann pitched over a leadoff double in the eighth after Wood threw out a runner at home on slow grounder to first base. Gibbs retired all four batters he faced, striking out the first two.
Picchiotti threw out two base stealers to push his Big Ten-leading total to 12 for the season.
The Boilermakers return to action Wednesday for a road game at Ball State. First pitch in Muncie is set for 3 p.m.